“Captain Galway! Your honour! I am undone for upholding the law! Save me! Save me!”
“Damn you for a whining hound! What do you mean by rushing in like this?” roared the officer addressed, who I marked wore a naval uniform.
During the babel of explanations which followed from the terrified creature, I was by no means easy in my mind, for I could not but think the frigate was stationed there for a purpose that touched me more nearly than smuggling, and certainly King's officers were not the company I should have chosen. But hesitation would have been the height of folly. I advanced assuredly, and addressing the company, said:
“Gentlemen, your pardon, for I am afraid that I am really more to blame than this poor man, who it appears was only preventing an unintentional breach of the law on my part. The truth is, I am most anxious to cross over to Harwich to-night, and had no thought to meet with any obstacle in my design, least of all that I should be taken for a smuggler.”
There was a laugh at this, and he whom the inn-keeper had addressed as Captain Galway said, roundly enough:
“Thank God, sir, his Majesty's officers have still something above the excise to look after!”
“Then, sir,” I replied, though his words confirmed me in my suspicion, “I have but this moment paid for a bottle of our host's best; we can discuss it with your leave, and it may serve as footing for my interruption.”
There were bows on all sides at this, and my gentleman introduced himself as Captain Galway, commanding the Triumphant, now riding at anchor in the bay, and his friends as Major Greenway and Captain Hargreaves, of the 32d Regiment. In turn I introduced myself as Mr. Johnstone, for I was determined to have done with Mr. Simpkin, come what might.
“Ah!” drawled Captain Hargreaves, “one of the Johnsons of Worcester?”
“No,” I answered, shortly; “mine is the Border family, but I come direct from London.”